‘Smart’ motorway plan unveiled to ease congestion
...but masterplan dashes hopes for new rail line
THE M66 could be turned into a ‘smart’ motorway under plans being considered to slash journey times for people living in the Valley.
A transport masterplan says the upgrading of the motorway is its preferred option as part of major plans to reduce congestion and improve Rossendale’s transport links - along with priority bus lanes and improvements to junctions on the A56.
But the move has dented hopes for a commuter rail or tram link to the Valley.
Transport bosses estimate the creation of a new tram or rail service would cost upwards of £50 million, with an extra 30,000 homes needed in the borough to support a link by train.
The A56-M66 gateway study, part of Lancashire County Council’s ( LCC) transport masterplan, has been approved by the county’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport councillor John Fillis.
It recommends four potential options to solve congestion problems and to facilitate future eco- nomic growth; the introduction of bus priority measures for the X41/X43 service, improvements to junctions on the A56 between the M65 and M66 and at Simister Island, and upgrading the M66 to become a ‘smart’ motorway.
If funding for the proposals is approved work could begin on the schemes in 2020.
Rossendale MP Jake Berry was involved in the formation of the report.
He said: “We are disappointed that they haven’t decided to reinstate the rail link at this stage but it still remains a long term goal for Rossendale to have it reinstated.
“But in the interim a smart motorway could reduce traffic significantly on the M66 and would be welcomed.
“We are currently putting together a bid for the Highways Agency for funding for the new improvements.”
‘Smart’ motorways use technology to vary speed limits and can also allow the hard shoulder to be converted into a running lane to create additional capacity.
The study concluded that attention should be focused on measures that will support the operations of the existing X41/ X43 express bus services.
A number of rail options were also considered, however the study adds that these would ‘most likely’ result in the loss of the existing heritage East Lancashire Railway.
Transport for Greater Manchester have ruled out extending the Metrolink network from Bury to Rawtenstall due to tram and passenger capacity constraints on the route.
Network Rail say they also would not support additional services on the Calder Valley line due to capacity issues related to existing proposals for extra services.
For the rail route to be commercially viable, it is predicted that the Rossendale area would need approximately 30,000 additional homes to increase demand.
Mr Berry added: “I’m also disappointed that the scheme didn’t show any imagination or new thinking about the railway.
“I believe it’s perfectly possible to run the heritage line and a commercial line at the same time.”
If funding is approved in 2018 the work could be carried out as part of Highways England’s next route strategy process from 2020 onwards.
Under Government quotas around 5,000 new homes will have to be built in the Valley by 2031.
Rossendale council leader Coun Alyson Barnes said: “I welcome the improvements to the bus service and roads - and the work around Simister Island is crucial for the traffic flows both ways along the motorway.
“These proposals will help to a certain extent but the existing problems are only going to get compounded over the next ten years as the population increases.
“I don’t accept that the train is not a possibility. It’s got to be part of the long-term solution and we’ll keep pressing for that.”
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